I'm far from an expert, but here are a couple of tips from a long-time
ladder user:
Fiberglass, not metal (probably a requirement from the cable or electric
company anyway). Metal ladders are waaaay too wiggly for their small weight
advantage. I keep putting it off, but my 28' aluminum one should be
replaced before my old carcass hits the ground one day.
Go to a real professional ladder distributor, not Home Depot, etc. You'll
get a real ladder, not a stripped-down model that's built down to Home
Depot's price. And in my experience the difference in cost will be very
slight.
In the case of the last ladder I bought, a 12' fiberglass step ladder, I
paid $35 more at the industrial ladder distributor for the very best one
Werner makes, compared to what Home Depot charges for a flimsy Werner with
fewer, thinner steps, plastic top step, etc. etc. Mine has no plastic
(well, the fiberglass is plastic...) it has heavy aluminum doublers on the
bottoms of the legs (in case you drag the ladder, drop it, etc), and you can
walk up the back rungs if you're careful, whereas the Home Depot one has
only a few little rungs on the back. And the pro ladder place has lots of
accessories, other ladder models, other brands, etc.
Karl
> Any suggestions on lader use and safety?
> Sites on the net to check out?
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> Matt Wehland
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